Research indicates that elevated body mass index and infections during early adolescence negatively affect Leydig cell development, leading to reduced androgen production potential in adulthood. The study, led by Richard Ivell from the University of Nottingham, utilized INSL3, a hormone secreted by Leydig cells, to track changes in male participants' androgen-producing capacity. Findings from a cohort of 1,781 young men revealed that obesity and early infections, particularly chickenpox, correlate with lower INSL3 levels, thus emphasizing the importance of effective vaccination strategies.

Source: Andrology